Mary Melton Lynam addresses hospital auxiliary
By ROWENA PLETT
Staff writer
Approximately 100 people attended the 33rd annual meeting of St. Luke Hospital Auxiliary Thursday at the fellowship hall at Eastmoor United Methodist Church.
Mary Melton Lynam, guest speaker, was introduced by President Janice Case. Lynam is the daughter of the late Phyllis Melton. She graduated from Marion High School in 1963 and the University of Kansas in 1967. Since then, she has lived in Kansas City.
Lynam followed in her mother's footsteps, becoming involved in many service organizations. She has served on various task forces and nationwide projects. Her work has been recognized by several state agencies.
During the past year or two, she was president of the Women's Service Club of Johnson County.
Lynam said she was thrilled to be asked to come back to her hometown to speak.
"It's not just important but essential to give back a part of your life," she said. "There's a lot that wouldn't get done without volunteers. As a volunteer, you are vital to the community."
Lynam reviewed the history of St. Luke Hospital and Auxiliary, as presented by her mother at the 1996 annual meeting. At that time, the auxiliary was 25 years old.
She noted the auxiliary was formed in 1971 after the Community Guild was disbanded. The hospital gift case was established the next year.
According to Lynam, just five weeks before Phyllis died, she calculated she had hemmed 5,615 tea towels and crocheted 392 pairs of slippers.
Lynam congratulated the volunteers for helping to keep their small-town hospital going. "It sets Marion apart," she said.
The institution celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2002.
Lynam challenged every member to ask at least one other person to join the auxiliary.
"The bigger your crew, the more you can do," she said.
Earlier in the program, Don Jolley talked about the importance of volunteers and read a poem about them.
"What would our community be like without volunteers?" he asked. He noted there would be no Meals-on-Wheels, no visits to the elderly in nursing homes, no recreation for children, and no St. Luke Hospital Auxiliary.
"Three cheers for the volunteers everywhere!" he concluded.
The poem suggested that everyone who volunteered on earth someday would live a life of ease and be served by others — those who were served by them but never volunteered.
Bill Darrow read a creative poem titled, "The Lowly Tea Towel," written by his mother, Ellen Darrow, and dedicated to "all the tea towel ladies." It cited the many uses earlier generations of Americans found for the tea towel.
Claudia Allison provided two vocal solos, accompanied by her husband Keith, who also provided piano music before the meal.
Doug Newman, CEO of St. Luke Hospital, announced the possibility the hospital may not have to discontinue the obstetrics services. He gave no further details.
Newman also said financial results for 2003 were good. He said the transition from Banner Health Systems to Quorum Health Resources will be a long process.
"We've got a lot of work to do," he said. He expressed confidence that Quorum will be good for the hospital district.
He also announced that a contest will be held beginning Feb. 1 to create a new logo for the district.
Debbie Craig, director of St. Luke Living Center, said only 59 of 400 St. Luke Community cookbooks published are still available. Proceeds were used to purchase a dolly for the piano.
Craig thanked volunteers for their commitment and dedication to the facility. "You complete what we have there," she said.
Janet Herzet of Marion County Home Health said home care is a big asset to the community. MCHC will be celebrating its 25th anniversary in November.
The 2004 officers were announced and installed by Jean Case. All 2003 officers will serve another year except for Randee Loomis, who has moved out of the district. Officers are: president, Janice Case; vice president, Judy Reno; secretary, Lavonne Hannaford; and treasurer, Eileen Sieger.
A report submitted in writing included the following information.
Tea towels were the best seller from the hospital gift case. The gift case produced $2,593.80 in revenue from 5,795 donated hours. All tea towels were cut and prepared by Ellen Darrow.
Volunteer hours in 2003, inside and outside the hospital and nursing home, totaled 7,783.
The general fund had an ending balance in 2003 of $842.63. The special fund had $6,203.02.
Special projects in 2003 had a total value of $3,979.86. They included a biofeedback machine, bibs, refrigerator, table and flowers, two chairs for the nurses' station, a scholarship, barbecue grill, books for new mothers, landscaping, St. Luke Living Center, Christmas, and two chairs for the living center.
St. Luke Auxiliary has funded projects totaling $78,610.86 during its 30 years of activity.
